CARLTON will head across the Nullarbor fresh off the bye to take on the Dockers at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
The Blues will be looking to make a strong start to the second half of their season by knocking off the favoured Dockers away from home.
Fremantle will be desperate to maintain its top eight position after last week’s defeat to Melbourne at the MCG.
But a refreshed Blues outfit will arrive in Perth more than ready for the challenge.
Details: Optus Stadium, Sunday 30 June, 3:20pm (AWST)
Broadcast: Click here for broadcast guide and here for all game day info.
THE GAME IN FOCUS:
Carlton will need to recapture the free-flowing offense of the last two outings if it’s to down the Dockers in enemy territory.
Despite the heart-breaking three-point loss to the Bulldogs, the Blues were able to notch over 100 points for the first time since Round 6.
Captain Curnow
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) June 30, 2019
The beloved Blue will lead the team into this afternoon's game against the Dockers. #BoundByBlue
The Dockers will be eager to solidify their top eight position heading towards the end of the season.
Despite last week’s defeat to the Demons, the fast-finishing Fremantle have reason to be confident with seven wins under their belt in 2019.
THE LAST TIME THEY MET:
It was a see-sawing affair last time these two sides met in Round 21 of last year.
Despite a strong start from the Blues in enemy territory at Optus Stadium, Fremantle came out firing in the second half to secure the win on its home deck.
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Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay stood up for the Blues, notching two goals each for the game and starting brightly as the Blues kicked out to a 13-point half-time lead.
But with Matthew Kreuzer a late exclusion from the side, the Dockers ultimately hit back to secure the 29-point victory.
BLUE FOCUS:
Bluebaggers will be pleased to see the return of experienced defender Liam Jones to the side after eight weeks on the sidelines.
For the first time since Round 7, Jones will feature at AFL level having now recovered from the residual concussion symptoms resulting from a head clash against North Melbourne.
The Blues’ defence has been one of their key assets in 2019, and Jones will only add to that alongside Jacob Weitering, Caleb Marchbank and resurgent defender Levi Casboult.
GET EXCITED ABOUT:
We got a taste of Charlie Curnow at his best in the Blues’ Round 13 outing against the Western Bulldogs, but the youngster has plenty more to show.
After a slow start to his 2019 campaign hampered by injury, it appears Curnow is back at his rollicking best.
Carlton have recorded impressive score lines in its last two showings and - in the absence of Harry McKay - Curnow and Mitch McGovern will need to have a big say in conditions which are likely to make scoring at a premium.
BLUE VIEW:
With co-captain Patrick Cripps set to miss the trip west, it is going to be up to the young Blues midfield contingent to step up as a collective.
While the likes of Zac Fisher and Sam Petrevski-Seton have demonstrated moments of class in 2019, they will need to be firing on all cylinders in their return to their home state if the Blues are to down the favoured Dockers.
